Foot valve extractor



Jan. 12, 1932. J, B HOLTSON 1,841,031

FQOT VALVE EXTRACTOR F'iled May 13, 1931 /N VEN 70H. by JA M55 5. ffm/v. M

Patented Jan. 12, 1932` Unirse STATES. PATENT OFFICE JAMES kvH'OL''SON, 0F DAYTON, OHIO,.ASSIGNOR TO HUFFMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, DAYTON, OHIO',. A- CORPORATION OF OHIO FOOT VALVE EXTRACTOR Application filed= May 13, 1931'.

rIhis invention relates to an apparatus for delfiveringliquids from an underground reservoir, suoli as is; used in: eonnection with gasoline dispensing' pumps, and more particularly toy what is commonly known asl a foot valvel extractor itting. The reservoirs or storage'tanks for gasoline pumps are usually' -buriedf a: considerable distance under ground, andi often under concrete, and the s-uetionpipe which connects the reservoir with-the1v pump is provided ator'near its'lower end with, one or more valves to prevent the reversev flow of liquidl through the same and thus maintain the suction or discharge pipe full ot' liquid betweenoperations of the pump. It these "valves-are'A injured or foreignf matter accumulates on the' valve seat to such an extent that the valves do not properly seat there is a leakage of gasoline from the suction pipe which; often results in inaccurate measurement et thel liquid delivered by the pump. order to permit the valves to be repaired or cleaned without the necessity of digging down to that-ank ithasbeen proposed heretofore to provide means for removably supporting the suctionl pipe in such a manner that the pipe and' its valve can be readily removed'.l For this purpose anouter casing is usualfly provided which extends from a point near lthe groundl level' down*z tothe reservoir', with' which it is connected'. The: suction pipe is removably supported within this easing andl means are provided for' establishing comnmnication: between the same and a conduit which leads from the'feasing to the pump.

@ne object of they present invention isl to provide an; apparatus of' this ch'aracterwhich Wills be simple, and relatively inexpensive in construction and fromA which; the.l pipe and its valve. may bereadily removed..

' efurther object. of the invention is to provide such an apparatusin. which the suction pipe wil'l bef directly connected', with; the condui-t leading to the pumpsothat no liquidl will enter theica'sing itself.4

.Ar further object of thezinventionxis to-pro'- vide means; which mayv bey easily operated from thev upper endy of thev casing lioreonnect'- ing the suction. pipeI witlr andi disconnecting the samefrom the conduit.

serial No. 537,058'.

A further object of the invention is tolpro' vide such' an apparatus with means for so connecting the casing with the reservoir as to permit of the slight relative movement of these parts;

Other objects of the invention will appear as they apparatus is described in detail..

In: the accompanying drawings Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view of an apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l; Fig. Bis a transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;. and' Fig. 4 is an end elevation ot theelbow' of the suction pipe and its aetnating device.

Inf these drawings I havey illustrated one embodiment of the invention and have shown the same as comprising a casing 5 which comprises a tubular lower portion 6 adapted tol be connected with an underground reservoir,A and a cast upper portion or fitting 8, the upper end of which is located at or adjacenttol the ground level and is normall. closed by a. eap 9. As here shown, the fitting or' upper portion of the easing 8 has at its lowerend a boss lOinto which the upper end of the tubular portion 6 is screw threaded. The tubular portion 6 of the casing is of relatively large diameter and arranged within the same is the suction pipe 11 which extends through this lower portion 'of the casing and? into the reservoir 7 where it is provided with a toot valvel 12. it being in the present instancel a double poppet foot valve. If desired', the suction pipe may be provided at a point above the reservoir with a check valve 13. The number and arrangement of the valves is'optional, either the foot valves or the check valve, or both7 may be used. The suction pipe 11 is provided within the upper part 8v of the casing with a laterally extending outlet' which preferably is in the form of an elbow 114 having screw threaded connection with the upper end of the pipe. Extending laterally from opposite sides of this elbow are studs 15 which rest upon inwardly extending lugs 16' carried by, and arranged on oppositel sides of, the casting or upper part of the casing 8. The studs and lugsthus serve to removably support the pipe within he casing but permit the same to have a limited amount of lateral movement with relation to the casing. A conduit 17 extends from the upper part of the casing to the pump and, in the present instance, comprises an elbow 18 arranged exteriorly of but extending through the wall of the-casing. The inner end of this elbow has a tapered seat 19 adapted to be engaged by the outer end of the outlet or elbow 14 of the pipe 11, the elbow 14 being preferably provided with a tapered gasket 20 of brass or other suitable material toprovide a sealed or tight joint between the pipe 11 and the conduit 17. rEhe conduit may be of any suitable character. The inwardly. ex tending` portion thereof, which is provided with the seat, is not necessarily formed separate from the upper part 8 of the casing but in the preferred construction here shown the elbow 18 of the conduit is rotatably mounted in a suitable opening in the casing so thatthe conduit may be led at various angles from the casing. It will be noted also that the' seat 19 is vertically arranged so that there will be little or no tendency for dirt or foreign matter to accumulate thereon and thus prevent a tight joint from being formed.

Any suitable means may be employed for pressing the elbow 14 against the inner end of the conduit and for holdingthe same' in firm engagement therewith but this means is preferably of such a characterJ that it may be manipulated from the upper end of the casing and it is also desirable that it should be of such a character that it may be utilized for lifting the pipe out of the casing after it has been disconnected from the conduit. Int-he construction here shown I employ for this purpose a toggle, one arm -21 of which is bifurcated and the two branches thereof pivotally connected with the respective sides of the elbow 14, as shown at 22. The other arm 23 of the toggle is arranged to'bear, against the side wall of the casing which thus forms a stop against which the toggle acts so that the movementof the toggle toward its straight position will press the elbow 14 firmly into engagement with the seat 19 of the elbow. Preferably the housing is provided with a vertical groove 24 to receive the end'of theV arm 23 of the toggle, and thus guide the elbow iiito proper alinementwith the end of the conduit? Connected with the toggle, at the point of connection of the two arms thereof, is an actuating device which, in the form here shown, comprises a lower member or rod 25 connected with the toggle and an upper member 26 having a socket 27 into which the upper end of the rod 27 is screw threaded. The upper member 26 of the actuating device is rotatably supported and is held normally against `upward movement so that when rotated in one direction it will tendto extend the toggle and will exert a powerful pressure thereon. As here shown, the upper member 26 of the actuating device is rotatably mounted in a cross bar 28 which is adapted to engage beneath the opposed lugs 29 extending inwardly from opposite sides `of the casing near thetop thereof. rlhe cross bar preferably has an elongated slot BOthrough which the actuating member 26 extends and in which it may have sufficient lateral movement to accommodate itto the changing positions of the-toggle. The member 26 is held against upward movement with relation tothe cross bar by means of a washer 31 seated on a shoulder on the member 26. It is preferably also held against downward movement with Vrelation to the cross bar by a washer 32 and a nut 38. The actuating member 26 may be rotated in any suitable manner but is here shown as having a squared upper end 34 to receive a socket wrench or the like. VThe lugs 29 on the casingare soV arranged'that by1 shown at 35, may be providedv on the inner wall of the casing to prevent the movement of the toggle arm 21 beyond a vertical position. E v

The lower or tubular portion 6 of the casing may be connected with the reservoir in any suitable mannerbut it is desirable that this connection shouldbe extensible to permit of a slight relative movement of the parts, such as might be produced by the sinking or settling of the tank, or to permit the connection to be established should there be a slight variation in the estimated distance between the top of the tank and the surface of the ground.v For this purpose I have provided a special form' of extensible coupling which comprises a tubular fitting 36 adapted to be screw threaded on a nipple l3"( on the Yreservoir and surrounding the openings 38 through which the pipe 11 extends. The lower end ,of the tubular portion 6 of the casing extends into this tubular fitting and is slidably supported therein. The relative movement of the two parts is limited by a stop, such as a set screw'39,.whi`ch extends through the fitting 88 and into a relatively wide cir cumferential groove 40 near the lower end of the .portion 6 of the casing. The upper part of the ttingis formed witha circumferential recess 41 in which is located an expansible packing 42, here shown as U-shaped in cross section, and an annular Wedge 43 extends between the two parts of this U'shaped packing and isy pressed intothe same by a spring 44 which is confined between/the Awedge and a cap 45 screw threaded onto the fitting.

CTI

'. .While it is. usually desirabley to use: alower tubular member, as shownr atV 6, this is, not alwaysnecessary `and where conditions permit the member 6 may be omitted. and the boss l0 of the upper member-8 screwed directly on the nipple 37 of the tank.

VIhile I- have shown anddescribed one embodiment' of my invention- I Wish it: tot be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereot` asvarious inodications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having new ful-ly described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure` by Letters Patent, is:

l. 'In lan apparatus for delivering liquid from an underground reservoir, a tubular casing adapted tok be connected to said reservoir with its upperend7 adjacent tothe ground level, a pipe removably supported in said casing-extending into said-reservoir and having a laterally extending outlet nea-r the upper end thereof, avalve.' in said pipe, aV conduit leading `from saidv casing and having'one end arranged-to be engaged by said outlet of said pipe` to establish a tight' connection between said parts, and means` for imparting lateral movement to said pipe to cause said outlet to 'engage said end of said conduit..

2. In an apparatus for delivering liquid Vfrom an underground reservoir, a tubular casing adapted to be connected te. said reservoir with its upperv end adjacent' to the ground level,y a pipe extending through the lower portionot said casing and into said reservoir, a valvein said' pipe, Aan elbow connected with the upper end of said' pipe, said casing' and said? elbow having inter-engaging parts to removably support said pipe in said casing, aconduit extending through thev wall of said casing and having its inner end ar ranged to be engaged by said elbow to form a tight connection betweenl 'said parts, and means-iter moving said elbow into engagemean withs'aid end of said conduit.

8. In` an apparatus for delivering vliquid from an underground' reservoir, a' tubular casi-ng adapted to be connected to said reserveir with its upper -endadjacent to the ground level, a pipe removably supported in said casing, extending inte said reservoir and having an elbow at the'discharge end thereof, a conduit extending through a wall of said casing, the inner end of said'y conduit and the outer end of said' elbow beingshaped tor sealing-engagement one with the other, and operable means to move said elbow into and hold the same in tight engagement with said conduit. j

4. In an apparatus tor delivering liquid from anV underground reservoir, a tubular casingvadapted to be connected to saidy reservoir with its upper end adjacent to thel ground level, la pipe removably supported in Vsaid casing', extending into` said reservoir and having' an elbow at the discharge end there'- of, a conduit extending through a wall of said casing, the inner end of said conduit and the outer endL of said elbow being shaped for sealing enga-gement one with the other, and an operable device arranged between said elbow and that side of said casing opposite said conduit to press said elbow into tight yengagement with said conduit.

5. In an apparatus for delivering liquid from an underground reservoir, a tubular casing adapted to be connected to said reservoir with its upper end adjacent to the ground level, a pipe removably supported in said casing, extending into said reservoir and having an elbow at the discharge end thereof, a conduit extending through a wall of said casing, the inner end of said conduit and the outer end of said elbow being shaped for sealing engagement one with the other, and an opera-ble device connected with said elbow and acting on a wall of said casing to press said elbow against the end of said conduit.

6.111 an apparatus for delivering liquid from an underground reservoir, a tubular casing adaptedv to be connected to said reservoir with its upper end adjacent to the ground level, a pipe extending through the lower portion of said casing and into said reservoir, a valve in said pipe, an elbow connected with the upper end of said pipe, said casing and said elbow having interengaging parts to removably support said pipe in said casing at a point spaced from the upper end thereof, a conduit extending through the wall of said casing, the inner end of said conduit and outer end of said elbow being shaped for sealing contact one with the other, an operableV device to `press said elbow against said conduit, and means arranged adjacent to the upper end of said casing for actuating said operable device.

7. In an apparatus for delivering liquid from an underground reservoir, a tubular casing adapted to be connected to said reservoir with its upper end adjacent to the ground level, a pipe extending through the lower portion et said casing and into said reservoir, a valve in said pipe, an elbow connected with the upper end of said pipe, said casing and said elbow having interengaging parts to removably support said pipe in said casing at a point spaced from the upper end thereof, a conduit extending through the wall of said casing, the inner end of said con duit and outer end of said elbow being shaped for sealing contact one with the other, an operable device connected with said elbow and acting against the wall of said casing to Ipress said elbow against said conduit, and an actuating device connected with said operable device for actuating the same and extending to a point near the top of said casing.

8. In an apparatus for delivering liquid from an underground reservoir, a tubular casing adapted to be connected to said reservoir with its upper end adjacent to the Ell) Cil

lower portion of said casing and into said reservoir, a valve in said pipe, an elbow connected with the upper end of said pipe, said casing and said elbow having interengaging parts to removably support said pipe in saidv casing at a point spaced from the upper end thereof, a conduit extending through the wall of said casing, the inner end of said conduit and outer end of said elbow being shaped for sealing contact one with the other, an operable device connected with said elbow and acting against the wall of said casing to press said elbow against said conduit, an actuating device connected with said operable device for actuating the same and extending to a point' near the top of said casing, and a part connected with said actuating device for lifting said actuating device, said operable device Aand said pipe from said casino.

9. In an apparatus for delivering liquid from an lunderground reservoir, a tubular casing adapted to be connected to said reservoir with its uppe end adjacent to the ground level, a pipe extending through the lower portion of said casing and into said reservoir, a valve in said pipe,.an elbow connected with the upper end of said pipe, said casing and said elbow having interengaging parts to removably support said pipe in'said casing at point spaced from the upper end thereof, a conduit extending' through the wall of said casing, the inner end of said conduit and louter end of said elbow being shaped for sealing contact one with the other, a toggle having one arm connected with said elbow and having its other arm arranged to act on a wall of said casing, and an actuating device operatively connected with said toggle and having a part arranged near the upper end of said casing for imparting operative movement thereto.

l0. In an apparatus for delivering liquid from an underground reservoir, a tubular casing adapted to be connected to said reservoir with its upper end adjacent to the ground level, a pipe extending through the lower portion of said casing and into said reservoir, a valve in said pipe, an elbow connected with the upper end of said pipe, said casing and said elbow having interengaging parts to removably support said pipe in said casing at a point spaced from the upper end thereof, a conduit extending through the wall of said casing, lthe inner end of said conduit and outer end of said elbow being shaped for sealing Contact one with the other, a toggle having one arm connected with said elbow and having its other arm arranged to act on a wall of said casing, a member operatively connected with saidtoggle, a rotatable member having screw threaded engagement with the first mentioned member and extending Vto a'point near "the top of saidl casing and held againstV axial movement.

l1. In an apparatus for delivering liquid from an underground reservoir, a tubular 'casing adapted to be connected to said reservoir with its upper end adjacent to the ground level, a pipe extending through the lower portion of said casing'and into said reservoir, a valve in said pipe, an elbow connected with the upper end of said pipe, said casing and said elbow having interengaging parts to removably support said pipe in said casing at a point spaced from the upper end thereof, a conduit extending through the wall of said casing, the inner end of said conduit and outer end of said elbow being shaped for sealing contact one with the other, a toggle having one arm connected with said elbow and having its other arm arranged to act on a wall of said casing, a member operatively connected with said toggle, a cross bar removably connected with said casing near the upper end thereof and held normally against upward lmovement with relation to said casing,-and a second member rotatably mounted in said cross bar and held against axial movement with relation thereto and having screw threaded connection with the first mentioned member. v

l2. In an apparatus for delivering liquid from an underground reservoir, a tubular casing adapted to be connected to said resere voir with its upper end adjacent to the ground level, a pipe extending through the lower portion of said casing and into said reservoir, a valve in said pipe, an elbow connected with the upper end of said pipe, said casing and said elbow having interengaging parts to removably support said pipe in said casing at a point spaced from the upper end thereof, a conduit extending through the wall of said casing, the inner end of said conduit andv outer end of said elbow vbeing shaped for sealing contact one with the other, a toggle having one arm connected with said elbow and having its other arm arranged to act on a wall of said casing, a member operatively connected with said toggle, said casing having opposed lugs near the upper end thereof, a cross bar adapted to be engaged beneath said lugs and having an opening therethrough, and a second member rotatably mounted in said opening, held against axial movement with relation thereto and having screw threaded connection with the first men tioned member.

13. In an apparatus for delivering liquid from an underground reservoir, a tubular casing adapted to be connected to said reservoir with its upper end adjacent to the ground level, a pipe extending through the lower portion of said casing and int-o said reservoir, a valve in said pipe, an elbow connected with the upper end of said pipe, said casing and said elbow having interengaging parts to removably support said pipe in said casing, said casing having an opening in the wall thereof adjacent to said elbow, a second elbow arranged exteriorly of said casing and having one end rotatably mounted in said opening, the adjacent ends of said elbows being shaped for sealing engagement one with the other, and means for moving the first mentioned elbow into engagement with said second elbow.

14. In an apparatus for delivering liquid from an underground reservoir, a tubular casing adapted to be connected to said reservoir with its upper end adjacent to the ground level, a pipe extending through the lower portion of said casing and into said reservoir, a valve in said pipe, an elbow connected-with the upper end of said pipe, said casing and said elbow having interengaging parts to removably support said pipe in said casing, a conduit extendingthrough a wall of said casing and having at its inner end a vertically arranged seat adapted to be engaged by said elbow, and means for moving said elbow into engagement with said seat.

15. In an apparatus for delivering liquid from an underground reservoir, a tubular casing adapted to be connected to said reservoir with its upper end adjacent to the ground level an having opposed lugs spaced from the upper end thereof, a pipe extending through the lower portion of said casing into said reservoir, a valve in said pipe, an elbow connected to the upper end of said pipe and having oppositely extending studs to engage the respective lugs on said casing and support said elbow thereon for transverse movement, `aconduit extending through a wall of said casing and having its inner end arranged to be engaged by the outer end of said elbow, and meansformoving said elbow into engagement with said conduit. e

16. In an apparatus for delivering liquid from an underground reservoir, a casing having a tubular lower portion, a fitting adapted to be rigidly secured to said reservoir and to receive the lower end of said tubular portion of said casing, said fitting and said portion of said casing having cooperating parts to limit the relative vlongitudinal movement thereof, packing between said fitting and said portion of said casing, a pipe movably supported in said casing and extending into said reservoir, a conduit connected with said casing, and means for establishing communication between said pipe and said conduit.

17. In an apparatus for delivering liquid from an underground reservoir, a tubular fitting having means for securing the same to said reservoir about an opening therein, a casing having a tubular lower portion slidably mounted in said fitting and having a circumferential groove, a stop mounted on said fitting and extending into said groove, packing between said fitting and said portion of said casing, a pipe removably supported in the upper portion of said casing and extending into said reservoir, a conduit leading from said casing, and means to establish communication between said pipe and said conduit.

18. In an apparatus for delivering liquid from an underground reservoir, a tubular fitting having means for securing the same to said reservoir about an opening therein, a casing having a tubular lower portion slidably mounted in said fitting and having a circumferential groove, a stop mounted on said fitting and extending into said groove, packing between said fitting and said portion of said casing, a pipe removably supported in the upper portion of said casing and extending into said reservoir, a conduit extending through a wall of said casing, and an elbow on the upper end of said pipe adapted to have sealing engagement with the inner end of said conduit, and means for moving said elbow into engagement with said conduit.

19. In an apparatus for delivering liquid from an underground reservoir, a tubular fitting having means for securing the same to said reservoir about an opening therein, a casing having a tubular lower portion slidably mounted in said fitting and having a circumferential groove, a stop mounted on said fitting and extending into said groove, said fitting having a recess extending about said portion of said casing, an expansible packing arranged in said recess, an expanding member engaging said packing, a spring acting on said expanding member, a pipe removably supported in the upper portion of said casing and extending into said reservoir, a conduit leading from said casing, and means to establish communication between said pipe and said conduit.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

JAMES B. HOLTSON. 

